Salvaging apparatus



G. A. LONG.

SAU/AGING APPARAUS.

APPLICATION. FILED JULY 2.1917.

Patented Del 9, 1919.

4 SHEE'TSF-SHEET I.

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G. A. LONG.

SALVAGING APPARATUS.` APPLICATION FILED JULY 2.1917.

Od. 1 ,Wg .m H l .M M .Y WW2/ @A6 p G. A. LONG. SALVAGING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED IULIY 2. ISI?.

Patented Dee. 9, 1919.

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4 SHEETS-SHEET 3I G. ALONG.

SALVAGING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED IULY 2l Isl?.

1,324,425. Patented Deo. 9,1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

oo l I ao00 GEORGE A. LONG, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS,

SALVAGING APPARATUS.

y ASpecication of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 9, 1919.

Application filed J'uly 2, 1917. Serial No. 178,162.

T o all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, GEORGE. A. LONG, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county ofSuffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Salvaging Apparatus, of which the following is aspecification. A

My invention relates to a' submarine salvaging apparatus and its objectis to provide an apparatus of this kind, by means of which, one or moreoperators may descend to a submerged vessel, inspect same, andpositively attach -cables and the like thereto, in any desired number,by means of whlch the vessel may be raised to the surface bysuitable'hoisting and flotation means. This apparatus is particularlyadapted to descend.y

to comparatively great depths and yet enable the operators therein toperform their work and to coperate and communicate with attendants atthe surface.

Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of theapparatus on line 1--1 ofFig. 2;

Fig-.2 is a plan;

Fig. 3 is a partial end elevation;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of a fixture for drilling through thesteel sides of a vessel- Figf" is an enlarged view of a portion offixture shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 5 is a section on :3d-5 Fig. a;

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation ot' a fixture for boring through thesides of a wooden vessel;

Fig.. 7 is a. sectional elevation of the bow end of appara-tasca -T ofFig. S);

Fig.-` 8- is 'a sectioned `plan of the bow end of the apparatus;

Fig. 9 is'a sectional elevation on 9 9 of Fig. look-ing forward;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional elevation of a fixture for grappling avessel through a port hole or other opening;

Fig. 11 is an end elevation of the above Fig. 12 `is an enlarged sectionon line 12-12 of Fig. 1 looking aft;

13 is a portion of a sectional side elevation amidships online 13-13 ofFig. 12;

Fig. 1l is a sectional side elevation'of the sternl portion of thisapparatus on line 1l14 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 15 is a sectional end elevation on line 'l5-15 of Fig. 14 lookingaft; and

Fig. 16 shows the method of grappling a sunken Vessel through theportholes.

Referring to the drawings, the operating mechanism is inclosed in ashell 'comprising a cylindrical body 20 and the heads 21 and 22 joinedthereto.

Suitable openings are provided for purposes hereinafter described, theheads and all such openings being so joined and protected againstleakage as to form 'a watertight compartment, within which the operatorsmay convenient-ly move in order to observe and to control the action ofthe apparatus. The shell 20 is reinforced against collapsing by suitablebands 23, and ribs 24 on heads 21, 22, the whole forming a structurecapable of withstanding a heavy pressure of surrounding water.

In the top of the structure and forming an integral part thereof yis themanhole 25, closed by the cover 26, which is connected thereto by ahinge joint 27 .or other suitable method. A packing ring 28 interposedbetween the flanged top of the manhole and the under surface ol' thecover insures a Water-tight joint, and a loc-king arm 29 is provided,whereby the cover maybe clamped in place by the operators within. Foremergency use the locking arm is secured to shaft 30 extending throughthe cover and provided with the handle 31 by means of which the covermay be unlocked from the outside; a packing box and gland insuringwaterctight conditions where the shaft passes through the cover.Surrounding the manhole is the platform 33 supported by brackets 34secured to the shell, a hand rail 35 be-.

ing provided as a protection for the operators, in entering or leavingthe manhole.

lVithin the shell, the fittings and attachments necessary to theoperation -of the ap paratus, are disposed. with due regard toconvenience, economy of room and balance of weight.

In the preferredform shown, storage vbatteries 36. are disposed oncit-her side of the longitudinal axis, and connected to form one unit.Supported from the top of the shell are tanks .37 for compressed airalso connected to form one unit. Water tanks 38 are fitted to thebottom, and for convenience are made in sections, several 'such sectionsbeing united by water tight joints 39 to form an independent unit, twosuch units being shown in the accompanying drawings. T o

yconsists in l controlling, under orders,

resist the pressure of the water, each section is reinforced by suitableribs or stays 40.

ln the preferred form of apparatus herein shown and described, it isproposed to employ two operators, coperating with each other but havingindependent duties, and for purposes of distinction, they may bedesignated as operator and assistant respectively. It is obvious,however, that the apparatus may be operated .by one man by rearrangingthe controlling mechanism. Broadly speaking the duties of the operatorare those that pertain to the guidance and control of the apparatus ingrappling a sunken vessel, and the duty of the assistlnt ie tanks, andin giving water, air and vacuum be required by such auxiliary help asmay `the operator.

Mounted over the rear water tank is the motor 41, the center line of itsshaft 42 being coincident with the center line of the propeller shaft43, mounted in the extension 44 of the head 22. To prevent leakage wherethe shaft passes through the ,shell to 46 and gland 47, and housed intheextension 44 is indicated the thrust-bearing 48 of any suitableconstruction, against Which'the propeller and propeller shaft react.

vConnection between thefinotor shaft and the propeller shaft is made bymeans 'of the clutch member 49 mounted on the motor shaft and slidablethereon, and the clutch member 50 rigidly mounted on the propellershaft, the member 49 being operated to engage the member 50 by means ofthe forked connection 51 engaging the groove 52 in clutch member 49.

The forked connection is mounted on the shaft 53 journaled in thebearings 54, and is rigidly connected to one end of the lever T o theother end of the lever is pivoted the 'connection 56 which is extended vforward@ and pivotally joined at its other end to the hand lever 5 Thislever is pivotally mounted in the bracket 58 and is provided near itsupper end with a spring latch 59 which engages the are 60, supported onstandards 61, secured to the water tank 38 in such position that the,lever ma be operated by the pilot.

Exten ing fore and aft in a convenient location is the shaft 62journaled in suitable bearings as at 63. Rigidly secured near the rearend of the shaft is. the pulley 64 alined with the corresponding pulley65 mounted on the motor shaft 42, and driven therefrom through themedium of the belt 66. Near the forward end of the shaft 63 is theclutch pulley 67 loosely mounted thereon, and which may be engaged bythe clutch member 68 slidably mounted on shaft 62 and operates by meansof the lever 69 pivoted at 70,

and engaging the groove 71 in clutch meniber 68. Lever 69 is so placedthat it-.may be readily operated by the pilot.

Journaled in the inwardly extending hub 72 of the forward head 21 is ashaft 73 the forward-end of which is enlarged at 74 and provided with asocket 75 shaped to engagecorresponding projections 76 formed on4 theends of the several fixtures, to be hereafter described, that may beused in grappling. interposed between the enlarged portion 7 4 and therecess in the hub 72 is a thrust bearing 77. The shaft 73 is extendedrearward through the packing 78 and gland 79, and rigidly mountedthereon and alined with the pulley. 67 and driven therefrom 4by the belt80 is a pu11ey'81, for the purpose of rotating the shaft 73and throughthe' lleys, 89 from the hub- 86y along opposite the propeller 45 thereis provideda packing sides ofthe shell, the other ends Ibeing secured tothe lever- 90. rigidly fastened to one end of. the shaft -91which-extends through the 'packing box'f92 and. the hub 93 formed on.the head 22. f.

On the opposite side of the centerline of the shell andaliiie/d with thehub 93 is a similar hubv 94 in theouter endof which is recessed lthepivot 95, projecting from the hub of a lever 96 and aiming-With theshaft\91. L

Secured to the outer end of the shaft 91 is a `similar lever 97, andconnecting the outer ends of the levers 96 and 97, and rigid therewithis the blade 98, :forming `a rudder, by the action of which, thedirection of movement of the apparatus is controlled laterally. Theaction of the cords 86 and 87 is such, that as the wheel 82 is turned onthe shaft 73, one cord is wound about the hub, as the other is u nwound,thus shortening the length of one cord directly as the other islengthened, in the familiar manner. lThis action results in a rotativemovement of the lever 90 on its shaft across the longitudinal centerline of the shell, which is transmitted through the shaft 91 and lever.97 to the rudder 98. The rudder 99 is similarly formed, and operated bymeans of the cords 100, 101, connecting thelever 192 with the hub 103formed on the wheel 83. The center line of rotation through the hubs104, 105, being at a right angle with the center line of rotation of therudder 98, causes the rudder 99 to move in a vertical plane, whenactuated by the means above described, thus acting to raise or depressthe head end of the device, to change its level through the action ofthe propeller 45.

. of grappling either a steel .orwoide-nvesself .per- .end fof.. lever.deseribed,=, the motor al is controlled.

l.by means=ofqsuitable piping and itt'ing i T he power for operatingfthemotor` is rez-I" ceived frointhe storage batteries 36, through theconducting wires 10G `107, the motor being in circuit and controlled bythe rheostat 108.! Provisionisinade for reversing the followingmannerz-I. I

of pump maybe used if desired and it is also obviousfthat instead ofexpelling the water fro'i'n' 'thetanks by admitting air *l underpressure, other expelling 'means may J ournaledinthe v`be.aiiirVigas,109, 110 is the= shaft 111 to which is rigidlyv secured one end of thelever 112. The i'eversing rnechanism 113 otl the motor-11 isconnectedtothe up- 111 in a suitable -positionisv the' lever 117, bymeans ofwhichthe shaft 1 11isfoscillated,` and through the intermediatemechanisi'i'i i -1`hecombination of theanechanisni above described, allwithin easy access of' thepilbt'," enables limi to advance or recede,lchange,"

.. directionl of 'the device, and 'operate anyt'rolthe n'i'oistiirewithin 'the head' lights due direction fof rotation the t.,

v p be` employed, foi' example, an ordinary direction Iof. revolution Qthe .IHQOI' 11 1 the 'v 'foiieefpunip ployed to 1 exhaust air fromvacuum tank 134, Vwhich may be securely' fastened to one lfof the watertanks or in any other conveni- ,112 by iiieansof the link', 111 pivotedat 115,116, Secured 'to the shaftf 'ent place. i The pipe 135 connectsthe pump witlrthe tank, a check valve '136, and gage l'il'fb'eingusedfor purposes similar to those describedinconnection with the air pump.

the .fixtures to. be Edescribed, for thepurpose j The subinersion oftlietleiicefis'.controlled from I the. airl tanks 87 ivatfer. t'anksj38the assistant?, Noi

theiinclosed. devices i and niechanfisnis bei arranged within tottrin'ior presaxrve levels.

From the vacuum tank leads the pipe 138 branching to separate' pipes189, V14a) which extend forward to the lhead lights 14.1 and v arei:contreated therewith.1=fiThe degree of vacuiiiiiiii"tli'ipipes-139, 140 isindepend- 'ently controlled by vmeans off the valves 142.

The purpose ot' tlieseconnections is to conto' temp'cr'a'turechanges;which would otherlens'surfacesfrom 4thciiiOiSture in the air -watertanks. empty isgsiich tiliatgit` will tlola'tl, 'head1liglits"Y Thetanks 38 are here arranged in independentgiimitsfto enable the operatorto fill or discharge ieither tank ,at- ,w, i ll., thus causing a'(if-depressing the bow onstern as may be required, or b\'- tilliiig bothtanks to cause the apparatustosubnierg e.l .iifater is adl valves 123controlling the, flow.

pressure and are connected with the water tanks by meansof the pip es124,r125, 126, valves 127 controlling the flow to the tanksV 38. the'airmain 12k-is the airpuiiip 128 by creases "ivh'e'ii-'the apparatus issubmerged. B v"partiallyexhausting the'air from the rough `thel pipes139, 140 the y iayxbe keptfree froin'precipitatiiif =`=f Y k Connectingwith the various pipes described are la; series otgages 1424a mounteda'suitable position, b v mealisvof which, 'the assistant i'nay 'haveinformation as to the preponderance finaweight Aforgthe purpose witted;through -the ,-i nlet 118,and passesi Athrough the pipes 119, 120, 121.to the tanks,

The air vided' with two sockets 143 on opposite. sides of the axis j oftlie shell. *Within these l "socketsfare secured 4the electric lamps144. i tanks3 7 are designed yto joiitainair lindenA switches, vomittedin the drawings for conven'ienceQ. By means of tlie'reflector 146Siiitably` placed and connectingwith the beam ofiliglit isconcentrated'and passes through the vlei'isesli?, 148 to illuminate themeans of which the pressure ,in the. air tanks may be restablished whennecessary. tanks 37 are connected by means ing 129 and connection 130forthepurposc of maintaining uniform :pressure in all the tanks. Afcheckvalve 131 between the air pump =128-andithevair .main 124 insuresagainst the escape of air through the pump when it is inactive. Gage 132connected to the air main, indicates the pressure inthe pipes and tanks,which-must be suiiicient to clear the tanks, 38,=of.vvater. Whendesiied.

The l ot the pip.

surroundingsfin front of the apparatus, suitabljpacking rings 149, 150,151 being interposed to secure Iseparation of the lenses Pump 128 isshown as motor driven` the usual connections and switch being omitted inthe. drawings for convenience.

Itisobvious however, that another form anda watertight joint'when thepacking mit 152 jis tightened thereon. A port 153 lis 'also' provided ata suitable level above the axis ofA the device to enable the pilot toinspect conditions and observe the action of the fixture'us'ed forgrappling the vessel. This port is closed b v means of the heavy glass,154, recessed in the head 21 and packaged at 155. 15G against leakage.the frame 157 serving to secure the whole firmly in place.

The. several Fixtures used in connection with this device' are shown indetail in Figs.

4, 4", 5, 610,11. These fixtures are each designed to fit a socketformed in the pro-l jection1'58, from the forward lhead 21.

Avessel. After each fixture is Placed in po- Referring to Figs. and 11,the fixtures, and the process above described repeated. shown areused-when grappling a sunken In order to facilitate the action of raisingvessel in which there ,are existing ports or and lowering of the.lapparatus, and for the other openings through the hull;. 159 is apurpose of economizing power in operation, head connected to the bodypart 160 Which the heads are provided with the eyes 177,. has anextension .161 forming astem to fit preferably integral therewith. Tothese eyes the., socket in 158. A collar 162 integral are connectedcables 178, joined tothe main therewith, limits the inward movement ofcable 179, Fig. 16, which is connected at its lthe=fixtures 'andv servesas a `thrust collar upper end with suitable mechanism on againstthe-endof .projection 158. The the lighter, the lighter being moved toabutment 163 from the collar 161, engages a a suitable' position abovethe sunken vesrecess in .the end of socket 158 and serves sel. Themovement of this lighter may to 'preventrotatiom A lateral groove 164;be governed by meanSof telephone C011- cut in the stem -161is engagedbythe ca`m` jnection .between the pilot below and the at- 165preventing,end vvise movement. This tendant on the'lighter; Such anapparatus camiis secured to the ,end of theshaft 166l vindicated at 180and itis obvious that the which is j ournaled in the, projection 158 andConducting wires to the surface may be made packed againstleakage at167...A`handle integral with the cable/179 or independent,

' 168is rrigidly Secured, .toL the innerA end of as desired.

the shaftIlGG-.fenablingthe operator to rotate Fiese, 4a, 5 showfixture, for use in 'I `the-shafti-lfor-thepurposeqof dse'n'gag7'grappling a steel 'vessel which may lack 1, 2 5.

ingthe cam fromrthergroove andpermittingk suitable; ports or openings atthe point where the' stem 163;1to be. r,Withdraw-"n.--froin the' u 41tisdeslred to attach a cable.^fA clamp 181 acable-170 'extendingi.to,.1,accompanying .formed with the hub 183, to engage` the lightersor other supportlngfdevice at the mner side 4of the vessel and the otherarm surface. Pivoted at 170 in the head1'59fare is provided with anextended hub: 181 the armsf1.71norn 1allye.ngaging-y grooves" .formedWith a tongue 185, to engage a cor- 'l therein. Thefixture iS bored onits axisto h 'responding slot 186 in the holder` 187.v The receive ashaft ,172,.extending to a point hub 184 is recessed in a portion of itslength neartheapex, of y,the head. A portion of and threaded to receivethe sleeve 188, withths endof `the shaft is threaded at 173 und in whichis journaled the shaft 189 one end engages with-.correspondingthreads174 vof which' is formed at 190 to fit socket 75 formedzin the hubsofthe levers.A To provide against end movement, thisshaft is groovedat175 near its inner end, and enandthe other end provided with a drillpomt 191, which journals in the forward part of hub 184, thusfurnishing, in connece .l socket 7 5.as above described, The operation Vis -propelledpforward the head'159 passes gagedffbyxthe set screw7 176in the stem. vtion with the sleeve 188, a stable support The shaft 172is extended. beyond the end for the clamp 181. The hub 183 is bored onof the stem 168 and formed at 76 to fit the the axis of the shaft 189,to a size which will permit the passage of the drill point of thisfixture is as follows As the device and shaft. If preferred, the drillportion 191 may be made independently and socketl through the port or:other opening in .the ed into the end of shaft 189 in the usual sunkenvessel. The clutch 68, is then opermanner employed with drill spindlesand ated by the pilot to transmit rotary motion interchangeable drills.The holder 187 is to the shaft 73 and through the socketed formed with achamber 192 closed by a cap joint 7576. to.. the shaftr172. As vtheshaft ,193, within which is'assembled the mechais limitedin its endwisemovement by the l nism required to feed the drill asit bores set screw176, the resulting action on the through the side 194 of the sunkenvessel. levers 171, rotates them about their axes A preferred formhere-shown consists of a to the positions shown at The clutch 68 ratchet195 rigidly secured to the inner end is released and the cam 165 rotatedto disof the sleeve 188. This ratchet is operated engage the groove 164;the rotation of thev by means of the pawl 196 pivoted in the 'motor isreversed, and the apparatus is backed away, leaving the fixturegrappling the hull, and connected asabove described lever 197, engagethe eccentric 198, rigidly with the lighter or other supporting means.secured to the shaft 189. The hubs of the This process is repeated untila sufficient ratchet 195, andof the eccentric 198 bear number offixtures are placed, at which time against the Walls of the chamber andlimit suitable mechanism above is employed to the endWise-movement ofthe drill shaft act on the various cables to raise the sunken 189. Pawl196 is held in contact with the forked lever 197 which is journaled onthe. shaft 198 1n cap 193. The forked arms of ratchet 195, by a spring199, the able depth is reached and from his inspecwhich isfgovernedbythe screw200. This f "holder 1187 =isffitted tothe 'so'ck'et Ii158, held201 being provided in the c' socket 75, the stem portion 2' andoperated; inplthemsanie mannergffasthe As theshaft: i189 isgrotated'fron vtl '1 'stenr of the; grapplingfixtui-e first describedj'Thezoperation -`of l this; ,fixturelf'is' asv fol- '1 -loWsE-The clampinl its e.\: tren1'eLy ,forwardf i position in the holder, islowerejdpverithe rail of-thfsunken .vesseh as show faire. 4.

ie line :shaft 62, by the intermediate" nieclninism'A #alreadydescribed-the eccentric in its rotation oscillates the forked lever 197on its axis 198.

The pavvl 1,97 engages thefratchet 195 to rotate the sleeve 188 step bystep. The threaded surface of the sleeve engaging the thread in therecess of the hub 184 caus the drill point to advance as it rotates, toand through the side pf the sunken vessel, and into the bore of the hub183. In this position the shaft 189 forms a shackle for the clamp 181and /the fixture may be released from its soc et in projection 158, inthe manner described in connection with the grappling fixture already'escribed, the eye amp 181 to which maybe attached acablef/for thepurposes already specified. l I! The fixture, shown in l ig. 6 may beused for boring through the vessel, and /consists of the 'sleeve 202, inwhich is jou'rnaledthe shaft 203 to one end of which is rigidly attach'ethe bur 201 the other end being formed' a 205 to fit .the of the sleeve202 bein interchangeable I,with the other fixtures escribed. Theoperation of this fixture is similar to' that of the other fixtures,but'its purpose differs, in that it is used solely to bore through thesides of the vessel in' order that the grappling fixture maybe'employed.` In this fixture, the eye 207 is used only to attach afloat line vor other safeguard against loss of the fixture, by prematurerelease from the socket.

The general operation of my apparatus is as follows z- Alighter orlightersor other tender is used in connection with the apparatus deaftersubmerging. The operators having descended into the apparatus, and themanhole being closed, the water tanks are filled, causing the apparatusto submerge as the supporting cable is unwound. As the .apparatus sinks,the pilot telephones or slgnals to the attendants on the tender when asuitindependent actionhothe .apparati in 'its own' fpower, vwithout linter-fe rence,from theE tender." The operatorgthen@describedgytofgrapple the wreck;

tio'n gives such directions as are necessary I tto; vguide: the lighterywith the suspended` aplparams, to a favorablefpositionfor, operation.-Sufficient water.. .is then forced lout kof the ttan-ksyto causetheapparatusy to yfioat yat the depth attained-w "lhe 'attendant `is,then vdiiectefdlto.r t'ension l'on thecable;sufficiently` 'Oates 'as'this is accomplished he releases the grappling fixture, and backs awayleaving the fixture hoisting means. Air pressure is then apconnected bya cable to a suitable buoy or -plied to the water tanks, and as thewater is driven out, the apparatus rises to the surface, and is hauledalongside the tender as. the cable `is Wound up. Another grapplingfixture is applied to the fixing apparatus, and the process repeated,the compressed air and electric storage being restored as occasiondemands, whileA the device is at the surface.

What I claim is 3 1. A salvaging apparatus, consisting of a submarinevessel provided on its exterior with a fixture adapted to grapple asunken vessel or other body; a lighting device secured to the submarine,and inclosed in a water tight chamber; means for directing the lightthrough a lens forming a transparent side of the chamber; and means forexhausting the air and vapor from the interior of the chamber, bydevices under the control of the operator; and other means forcontrolling the illumination, and the movements of the submarine,forthe'purpose of engaging the fixture with a sunken body.-

2. A salvaging apparatus, consisting of a submarine vessel, provided onits exterior with a socket, adapted to engage the shank of a fixturedesigned to grapple a sunken body; thatfixture; means for securing thefixture in lts socket, ad for releasing it 'from the socket; acablesecured to the fixture Aand supported by suitable buoyant4 means; ashaft journaled in the wall of the submarine vessel, and provided withan enlarged portion or head, projecting into the socket, and adapted toengage a projection formed on a shaft journaled in thefixture andco-acting with mechanism within` a' chamber formed in .the fixture, forthe purpose of securing the fixture to a sunken body; means by which anoperator may control the movements of the submarine vessel and theoperation of` the grappling fixture.

3. A salvaging apparatus, consisting of a submarine vessel, provided 4onits exterior with a socket, adapted to receive the shank of a xture,designed tograpple a .sunken bodygthat fixture; means for securingl thefixture in the socket,` and for releasing it from the Socket; a cablesecured to the fixture and supported by 'suitable .buoyant l means; ashaft journaled in the `wallof the submarine, and` provided with anenlarged portlon o'r head, projecting mto the socket,4

and ada ted to engage 'a projection, formeel .on a sha t,'journaled mthe fixture; a thready ed portion of the shaftengaging mecha .pose ofoperating the fixture,

inisni .adapted to secure the fixture to a submarine vessel. y' Signedbynieat Boston, Massachusetts,

this tu-'entynnth day of June, 1917.

GEORG-Ea. LONG.

